Wedding Songs

Wedding SongsIntroductionP. R. Ramachander

The Brahmin marriages of Tamil Nadu consist of several rituals which are not
prescribed by the Vedas. Such rituals are not, naturally accompanied by Vedic
Manthras. Examples of such rituals are Kasi Yathrai, Oonjal, Nalangu etc. (For
details refer to: stotraratna.awardspace.com/sruthi/vyasas/v2.pdf).

To make these rituals interesting such rituals are accompanied by songs sung by
the guests assembled to attend the marriage. This also gives rise to lot of
merriment and mirth and gives a chance to the talented budding singers a chance
to exhibit their talents. These special songs which were known to our grand
mother's generation slowly disappeared and gave way to suitable film music. But
even that has gone out of fashion nowadays, where people are in a hurry to
complete the rituals as fast as possible.

In my mission to preserve our culture to the next generation, I am giving some
songs which I could collect. I have mainly depended on a book pulished by Lifco
publishers called "Gowri Kalyaname Vaibhogame" in the year 1977 and also on the
discussion at forumhub.mayyam.com/hub/viewlite.php?t=7750 which gives many such
songs in Tamil. I know the number of songs collected by me is very less. I
request my readers to contribute such songs in consultation with the ladies of
the previous generation.